N.Y. Driver Accused of Intentional Crash

A man accused of intentionally crashing his car to collect insurance money was charged Saturday with second-degree murder for the death of a 71-year-old woman whose car was hit.

Prosecutors said Ward Demolaire, 22, planned the crash and recruited two men to ride with him and claim that they were injured to collect insurance money. He also allegedly instructed them to tell police the crash appeared to be the other driver's fault.

The other diver, Alice Ross, had been on her way to see her grandchildren March 23 when her car was hit, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said. He said the crash sent Ross' car veering into a tree, killing her.

Demolaire, arrested last week, was also indicted on charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.